​​Balram has the specialist expertise in biodiversity conservation and livelihoods development. He has extensive experience of working in government and non-government organisations in Asia, Africa and Europe, particularly in managing and delivering international research and development programmes. He managed the corporate biodiversity conservation and livelihoods enhancement partnership programme while working at Cambridge. He also worked at University of Aberdeen, UK and the conservation organisations in Nepal.

Hum Gurung

​​Hum is an ex Gurkha with BSc Hons in Psychology from the Open University and currently undertaking Master in mental health. Besides extensive experience in managing projects in national and international levels, his eight years of experience and skills with the Gurkha Welfare Advice Centre (Gurkha Welfare Trust) as an Adviser has given him wealth of knowledge and experience in close coordination with the Government bodies, service charities and community leaders in supporting the ex Gurkhas and their dependants who come to the UK in view of settling down permanently. Has also raised funds in close coordination with various organisations and institutions on numerous occasions for the good of people in need. His passion is to use his remaining active life and energies for the people in genuine need of welfare help and support.

Bhim Tamang

​​Bhim is a former Gurkha soldier, educated at the Bucks New University with a degree in Security Consultancy (2:1) and a degree in English Language and Literature. He has an extensive experience working as linguist, advisor and consultant in both the government and the non-government sectors. He is passionate about the Gurkha community and has been continuously providing linguistic support for the Gurkha community over five years. He is currently working as the Gurkha Communities Support Officer.

Govind Belbase

​Advocate Mr Belbase was practicing in Appeal Court in Butwal, Nepal and known as a human right activist for 12 years. Since he moved to the UK in 1999 he edited weekly newspaper "The Nepali Sandesh" since September 2004 as an editor until 2012. His book 'Rato Passport' has been awarded as the best book of the year 2014 by 'Nepali Sahitya Bikash Parisad'. He is well-known among Nepalese community for his writing on contemporary issues. His formal education certificates are awarded by Tribhuvan University, Nepal and University of Leeds, UK.

B

Dr Pushpa Datta Upreti

​​Pushpa holds a PhD in Environmental Technology from De Montfort University, Leicester. He has a strong background in the Environmental Science, especially in the areas of environmental remediation technology and management. He worked as an Environmental Technician at Nicholls Colton Group, Leicester and currently working as Research Scientist and Part Time Lecturer at De Montfort University, Leicester. He has very good linkage with Nepalese diaspora communities in the UK. He is the founder secretary of Galkot Society UK.

Sanju Gurung

​Sanju is a former Gurkha soldier, educated at the University of Kent with a degree in War Studies (2:1) and Masters in International Security and the Politics of Terror (Merit). He has extensive experience of working in both the government and the non-government sectors. He has special interest in the Gurkha history and occasionally delivers public lectures. As a volunteer, he has been continuously supporting the Gurkha communities for more than three years. He also provides support to the public engagement programmes at the Imperial War Museum.

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Associate Members / Volunteers

Sneha Shrestha

Sneha is an LLB graduate (First Class Honours) of the University of Essex and an LLM graduate (Distinction) of King’s College London. Her experience is broad and includes practical legal research internships (REDRESS, UK & Advocacy Forum, Nepal) in human rights. Furthermore, she has actively participated in numerous voluntary work prior and post the devastating earthquake in Nepal which she survived. For her LLM, Sneha opted for the Transnational Law pathway at King’s College, which explored transboundary legal challenges posed by globalisation. This widened her horizons and exposed her to intriguing topics such as technology and governance, Corporate Actors and Sustainability, Strategic Litigation and Environmental Law. She has also worked as a paralegal and a caseworker in two law firms, and she is currently exploring her skills of legal research and passion for sustainability and justice through her internship at Protimos; an organisation which aims to use the law to promote economic growth and sustainable development.

About Associate Members

Our associate membership is open to any members of the communities willing to join to contribute towards the delivery of charity's objectives. A good number of members have already registered their interests to join, and we expect to accommodate as many members as we can to drive our charity's mission.

Communities and Nature International is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1166983) and Scotland (No. SC047810)